Carmelo Garcia

Cotswold District Council rejected proposals by the Longfurlong Greenfields Association to preserve fields near Highgrove House in Tetbury as outdoor community recreation spaces. The council cited insufficient information about the proposed layout, access, management, funding, local need, agricultural land quality and biodiversity impacts. The decision was made by five votes to two, with one abstention, while separate plans could allow up to 135 homes to be built on the site.

A&K Gateshead has proposed building about 100 homes on land off the A38 Tewkesbury Road in Twigworth, near Gloucester. Residents and local parish councils have objected because of concerns about traffic, flooding and sewage capacity following flooding in nearby areas. The developer says it will work with Severn Trent to identify necessary drainage improvements and ensure infrastructure can sustainably support the development. Tewkesbury Borough Council planners are expected to consider the proposal by 6 October 2026.

Misspelled electric-vehicle road markings appeared in Cinderford and Lydney in Gloucestershire, prompting local councillors and Mayor Tasha Saunders to alert the highways team. The errors—“electric vehicels” in Cinderford and “electirc vehicles” in Lydney—were quickly repainted by contractors at no cost to Gloucestershire County Council. Saunders believed the Lydney error may have been introduced while contractors were correcting the Cinderford mistake.

A six‑year planning dispute over the marquees outside Superdry co‑founder Julian Dunkerton’s No 131 hotel in Cheltenham is ending, with the tents set to be removed and replaced by a new terrace featuring a retractable roof. The structures, installed during relaxed pandemic rules to support outdoor dining, remained after the measures ended, prompting enforcement action and appeals. The project is scheduled to begin later in July and finish in October, while the hotel and restaurant continue operating.

Local leaders warn that plans for a new M5 junction near Tewkesbury, intended to support major housing growth, may lose funding as the government shifts investment toward a planned £15bn increase in defence spending. Gloucestershire councillors argue the junction is essential to resolving long-standing congestion and enabling thousands of new homes. The Department for Transport has not confirmed the project’s future while examining £700m in potential road-budget savings. The government says pothole repairs and rail investment will remain protected.

Gloucestershire County Council proposes a 20mph speed limit across Cheltenham as part of its countywide safety programme, citing evidence supporting lower speeds in populated areas. Cheltenham Civic Society criticizes the consultation for lacking sufficient evidence on collision causes and the effectiveness of a blanket limit. More than 150 towns and parishes have expressed support for similar schemes. The council is reviewing feedback and expects adjustments before issuing a traffic order.

A survey of 177 girls aged 11 to 18 in Cheltenham revealed widespread experiences of harassment and a sense that their concerns are not being heard, with only 16% feeling listened to and nearly a third receiving unwanted explicit images. Cheltenham Borough Council officials described the findings as disturbing and noted concerns about safety after dark and during race week. A sub‑committee has been formed to produce an action plan, and some measures, including a youth café, have already been implemented. Cheltenham Racecourse emphasised its zero‑tolerance approach to anti‑social behaviour.

A public gross‑misconduct hearing for Gloucestershire Chief Constable Rod Hansen is set to begin on 16 July in Cheltenham. Hansen faces allegations that he failed to act on information about an unauthorised police‑system search in 2022 and later provided a misleading statement during the investigation. The IOPC previously found a case to answer, leading to Hansen’s suspension in 2024, reinstatement for a redeployment role, and suspension again in 2025, though a separate misconduct allegation was dropped in 2026. The hearing is expected to run until 24 July.

A proposed £75m A48 bypass for Chepstow has stalled after being excluded from the UK government’s 10‑year investment pipeline, with costs rising from earlier estimates and requiring backing from both UK and Welsh governments. In response, Gloucestershire County Council is exploring expanding its on‑demand Robin bus service into Chepstow and improving regular bus links as short‑ and long‑term alternatives. Local councillors express frustration over the lack of coordinated action between authorities and warn that continued delays will increase costs and worsen congestion pressures.

Funding shortfalls have stalled plans for a £75m A48 bypass intended to alleviate congestion around Chepstow, prompting officials in Gloucestershire to consider extending an on-demand minibus service across the England–Wales border. A new report shows the bypass is absent from the UK Government’s 10‑year investment pipeline and that projected costs have risen significantly since 2021. Local councillors warn that delays, rising expenses and a lack of coordinated action between authorities on both sides of the River Wye are undermining efforts to address long‑standing transport problems. Local governments are now exploring short‑ and long‑term public transport improvements, including expanding cross‑border bus connections.

Gloucestersh​ire Airport is being put back on the market after a previous sale attempt collapsed, with Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council citing continued financial losses and the need for major investment. Unaudited figures presented to councillors indicate a total loss of about £2.1m, while operational losses have decreased over recent years. The councils have appointed Savills to oversee a renewed sales process as they seek a buyer capable of supporting the airport’s long-term future.

Repair costs for the Black Bridge on the Wye Valley Walk are expected to exceed £3m, but Gloucestershire County Council currently lacks the budget and is pursuing external funding. The bridge remains closed following repeated safety concerns and an extended public notice. Councillor Sid Phelps has questioned the high repair estimate and urged development of a concrete plan to reopen the crossing.